Pakistan and Qatar Are Trying to Bring the U.S. and Iran Back to the Negotiating Table — CNN
Pakistan and Qatar are working to bring the U.S. and Iran back to the negotiating table amid a new escalation between the two sides, CNN reports, citing regional sources.
According to the network, Pakistan and Qatar were the key mediators during the previous talks in Switzerland, which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in mid-June. Oman also facilitated diplomatic contacts in the early stages.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on all parties to refrain from actions that could further undermine peace and stability in the region, emphasizing that there is no alternative to dialogue and diplomacy.
Meanwhile, the ceasefire continues to unravel. According to CNN, mutual strikes have been ongoing for the second day in a row: the U.S. military announced an attack on 90 targets along the Iranian coast, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported strikes on U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Source: CNN.
On July 9, a drone attacked a camp of the Iranian Kurdish opposition in northeastern Iraq near the city of Erbil. According to preliminary reports, there were no casualties or injuries.
On July 9, Iran continued to launch strikes against Persian Gulf countries in response to recent U.S. attacks. There are reports of missiles and drones being launched toward Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, though most of the aerial targets were intercepted.
On July 9, oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz came to a near standstill. This was caused by new U.S. strikes against Iran, Tehran’s retaliation, and a sharp increase in risks to shipping in the region.
